New Guy needs purchase info

Hello -

I'm going to look at a '92 Red/Black next week and would like to know what things to be on the lookout for and what questions specific to the Allante should I get answered.

It has 66k miles and from the photos it looks to be in very good condition, but no hard top - asking $5500 for it which seems to be in the ballpark from all that I have seen online. VIN is 1G6VS3383NU125712 in case anyone knows about the car.

Re: New Guy needs purchase info

Is the gas gauge broken or the fuel level just really, really low? Do some reading here about checking the ABS, reading the codes, and general pre-purchase inspection. Be sure to start the car and read any displayed messages. Check the operation of the top, AC, and radio (three items on my car that have been a PITA). Print out the nearby post about how to raise and lower the top so you can check the operation of the latches and pulldown. Check the operation of the power seats, windows, locks, and trunk pulldown. Check underneath for salt damage in case it was used in the winter. Check the condition and dates on the tires. Be ready to walk away and keep looking.

Re: New Guy needs purchase info

Is the gas gauge broken or the fuel level just really, really low? Do some reading here about checking the ABS, reading the codes, and general pre-purchase inspection. Be sure to start the car and read any displayed messages. Check the operation of the top, AC, and radio (three items on my car that have been a PITA). Print out the nearby post about how to raise and lower the top so you can check the operation of the latches and pulldown. Check the operation of the power seats, windows, locks, and trunk pulldown. Check underneath for salt damage in case it was used in the winter. Check the condition and dates on the tires. Be ready to walk away and keep looking.

On top of that I assume since you have the VIN you ran a Carfax or similar and will check the mileage versus the report. They could in fact be different depending on what was replaced on the car.

I would also check the manual release levers for the fuel and top (located in the trunk), the weather stripping, and the serpentine belt for wear.

And of course... the VISORS! They may need a dose of Viagra to help them along!

Re: New Guy needs purchase info

I'm going to look at a '92 Red/Black next week and would like to know what things to be on the lookout for and what questions specific to the Allante should I get answered.

It has 66k miles and from the photos it looks to be in very good condition, but no hard top - asking $5500 for it which seems to be in the ballpark from all that I have seen online. VIN is 1G6VS3383NU125712 in case anyone knows about the car.

Thanks for any help!!

Michael

According to Carfax, that car had 65,665 miles on it in Nov. 04 so either there has been a change, or it's been parked for almost four years. At that time, it was registered in Ohio and the last information it was in Illinois, in 2007, but with no shown mileage.
Just thought I'd let you know.

Re: New Guy needs purchase info

c5 rv - Ieradi - oscobil

Thanks you guys for the inputs on things to look for in the Allante purchase inspection!

Saw it today - in general it ran very well I believe. The brakes seemed to have a hard pedal (normal?) but stopped without pulling. No major problem codes when engine started just oil change/light bulb/low fuel! The top of the dash/defrost vent was in very bad condition (sun damage), the weather strip across the rear-bottom of the top is bad (sun damage), trunk pull-down motor inoperative, needs a muffler, both seat backs missing release levers(?), A/C has been converted but isn't cold and some speaker distortion noted but working OK (CD/casette, radio works). Trunk is perfect, interior need a good cleaning and window assy's are a little slow but work, as do the seats. Also, there are a few other things which I would want to fix up later on.

I didn't buy it but am thinking about it if I can get him down on the $$ some more.

Does anyone have a good idea what a new dash (charcoal) might cost; and if the weatherstrip under rear window can be replaced? Would be a good project for this winter - then find a hardtop for it.

Re: New Guy needs purchase info

On top of that I assume since you have the VIN you ran a Carfax or similar and will check the mileage versus the report. They could in fact be different depending on what was replaced on the car.

I would also check the manual release levers for the fuel and top (located in the trunk), the weather stripping, and the serpentine belt for wear.

And of course... the VISORS! They may need a dose of Viagra to help them along!

THE 1992 Allantes do not have problems staying up, so save the Viagra dosage for the '87 to '90 models

Originally Posted by Michael Mullins

c5 rv - Ieradi - oscobil

Thanks you guys for the inputs on things to look for in the Allante purchase inspection!

Saw it today - in general it ran very well I believe.

The brakes seemed to have a hard pedal (normal?) but stopped without pulling.
No major problem codes when engine started just oil change/light bulb/low fuel!
The top of the dash/defrost vent was in very bad condition (sun damage),
the weather strip across the rear-bottom of the top is bad (sun damage),
trunk pull-down motor inoperative,
needs a muffler,
both seat backs missing release levers(?),
A/C has been converted but isn't cold and
some speaker distortion noted but working OK (CD/casette, radio works). Trunk is perfect, interior need a good cleaning and window assy's are a little slow but work, as do the seats. Also, there are a few other things which I would want to fix up later on.

I didn't buy it but am thinking about it if I can get him down on the $$ some more.

Does anyone have a good idea what a new dash (charcoal) might cost; and if the weatherstrip under rear window can be replaced? Would be a good project for this winter - then find a hardtop for it.

Any help would really be great - THANKS!

Michael

ABS .. you are looking for KICK BACK, RED dash light, codes
DASH cover, about $200 plus labor
trunk pull down - $75
muffler - $100
catalytic - $150
seat back repairs - $10 do it yourself, if the handles are all there and not busted up. otherwise add $150.
A/C issues - $200 to $1,500, depending on what .. then again, who needs it on a convertible !
BOSE Amps failing - $500 .. gotta have music
Window weatherstripping .. who knows

At $4,000 it might make sense if all else is OK.
tires? $130 each = $600 installed

VIN 1G6VS3383NU125712 is a no HARD TOP model, make it $3,750

sounds like a typical '92, the king of fun and for that, the most abused model of them all.

if the engine is strong, trani doesnt slip, leather is good, go for it, just get it at the right price .. you will find it hard to find a more fun Allante model year.

Re: New Guy needs purchase info

Stealth -

Thanks for the WAG on repair costs. I'm thinking of going down to Chicago to look at a Pearl White/Burgundy '88 (78K) I found on AutoTrader (VIN 1G6VR3172JU100154). Any SPECIAL '88 model issues to look for?

Anyone have any info on this one they can share with me. It's located at Liberty Auto in Villa Park, IL.

Re: New Guy needs purchase info

Originally Posted by Michael Mullins

Stealth -

Thanks for the WAG on repair costs. I'm thinking of going down to Chicago to look at a Pearl White/Burgundy '88 (78K) I found on AutoTrader (VIN 1G6VR3172JU100154). Any SPECIAL '88 model issues to look for?

Anyone have any info on this one they can share with me. It's located at Liberty Auto in Villa Park, IL.